How To Choose A Basic Bike Tool Kit – Bicycle Maintenance

How To Choose A Basic Bike Tool Kit – Bicycle Maintenance

A good tool kit for being able to repair and maintain your bike is one of those things that every cyclist should have, however few of us have.
Follow GCN on YouTube: http://gcn.eu/gcnsubs

If you’ve recently started cycling and have been following our maintenance Monday series on bike repair, you might wonder what tools you need to complete most bicycle repairs. Here Daniel goes through the basic tools you’ll need to keep your bike in good working order.

The full list is as follows:

Track pump
Good set of allen keys
Puncture repair kit
Chain tool
Good quality cable cutters
Torque wrench
Screwdriver (normally phillips head)
Spoke key
15mm pedal spanner

Music: Deadly Avenger – Chevy Chases Hair: http://gcn.eu/1ajNoLd

About GCN:

The Global Cycling Network puts you in the centre of the action: from the iconic summit of the Stelvio to the epic trails of Fort William, Scotland, everywhere there is pavé or dirt, world-class racing, and pro riders, we will be there bringing you all the action, essential analysis and unparalleled access every week, every month, and every year.

Welcome to the Global Cycling Network | Inside cycling

Youtube Channel – http://gcn.eu/gcnYT
Facebook – http://gcn.eu/gcnFb
Google+ – http://gcn.eu/gcnGPlus
Twitter – http://gcn.eu/gcnTW

Leave us a comment below!
Music – licensed by Cue Songs

50 Comments

  1. Global Cycling Network on June 28, 2019 at 8:52 pm

    Great suggestion!

    Thanks!



  2. THE LAST REAL MAN on June 28, 2019 at 8:53 pm


  3. Kenneth Mundell on June 28, 2019 at 8:53 pm

    The Complete Bike Owners Manual (FOR ONLY $3) https://payhip.com/b/iSxt

    This is the complete reference guide to bike servicing and repair, and an essential ebook bible for every cyclist’s bookshelf.

    Incredible CGI illustrations show you every aspect of bike repair and maintenance more clearly than ever before, whether you’re a mountain biker, cycling commuter, or road racer.



  4. Princess Maheen on June 28, 2019 at 8:55 pm

    Really



  5. cebax on June 28, 2019 at 8:55 pm

    Get a chain checking tool, everyone will put different kinds of wear on the chain. Someone like me who weights 140 can get far more miles from a chain than someone like my friend who is 210 but keeps up with me on all but the steepest climbs. I had 4,000 on my last chain and still had not gone past 50% wear (you replace between 60-70% if you go to 100% you will be replacing your cassette and chain rings as well. I only replaced it because I went to 11 speed.



  6. TheGrassyou on June 28, 2019 at 8:57 pm

    if you want to save money don’t buy a torque that gives more than one value just buy a 5nm torque and you’ll be able to do most of your tightening for much cheaper



  7. Milo A-S on June 28, 2019 at 8:58 pm

    Could you do a video on advising what take in jersey pocket’s/saddle bags etc?



  8. TheZRW on June 28, 2019 at 8:58 pm

    Daniel’s my favorite.



  9. Global Cycling Network on June 28, 2019 at 8:59 pm

    Hi Romi, I use an Alien multitool personally, but why don’t we put it out there for everyone else to answer in the comments?

    What’s the best multitool you guys have ever used?



  10. steven ibanez on June 28, 2019 at 9:00 pm

    GCN what shop repair stands do you recommend?



  11. panzerveps on June 28, 2019 at 9:00 pm

    I’d say a tire lever is pretty high on the basic tool kit list..



  12. Mark Williams on June 28, 2019 at 9:00 pm

    Buy a chain wear indicator and you can easily tell when its time to replace a chain. These will tell you once a chain has stretched by .075mm or 1mm (depending on what side you use). As a rough guide you can usually get 2-3k miles out of a chain.



  13. Bobby Hempel on June 28, 2019 at 9:04 pm

    Park tool is overpriced



  14. andreas ellinidis on June 28, 2019 at 9:04 pm

    only unior bro



  15. Prettorian on June 28, 2019 at 9:04 pm

    What is the brand and model name of that torque wrench? Thanks.



  16. ironhandsrule on June 28, 2019 at 9:06 pm

    Could we have a video on how to fine tune gears?



  17. tymbrimi0 on June 28, 2019 at 9:07 pm

    Could you please point out some resources to determine what force to set the torque wrench for specific components?



  18. Peter Lazio on June 28, 2019 at 9:10 pm

    Bearing tweezers are a really nice to have when replacing the loose bearings. These tweezers stay closed, holding the bearing, until you squeeze it open, the opposite of regular tweezers. This makes it easier to place the bearings after you put grease in the cup.



  19. baralah on June 28, 2019 at 9:11 pm

    where is chain gauge??



  20. Global Cycling Network on June 28, 2019 at 9:12 pm

    Thanks for the suggestion – we’ll try and have a look at this in one of our bike fit videos.



  21. AndyMJF on June 28, 2019 at 9:12 pm

    Great thanks. Its been over 20 years since I last got on my bike and my son has suddenly developed an interest in cycling and wants me to help him repair on old bike in the shed for practice. I see a new hobby starting for 2017



  22. Romi Arkan on June 28, 2019 at 9:13 pm

    Please make a video about the best multi tool kit available on the market. I tend to have mechanical failure on the road..



  23. Global Cycling Network on June 28, 2019 at 9:14 pm

    Most manufacturers state it on the part – if you’re looking at a stem, or seatpost clamp, the manufacturers tend to put the recommended torque on it.



  24. CrazyCyclingVlogger on June 28, 2019 at 9:14 pm

    Only a crappy carpenter blames his tools…



  25. Nishant Varghese on June 28, 2019 at 9:15 pm

    Great video! What other specialty tools do you recommend to have a complete bike repair toolkit? And are there specific places to get them as package deals at wholesale prices or do you recommend getting them individually?



  26. TheKooster31 on June 28, 2019 at 9:16 pm

    multitool, tire lever, and a pump



  27. rocbola on June 28, 2019 at 9:17 pm

    I’d say a wheel truing stand is something that anyone who rides a lot of miles needs. A chain breaker tool and the wrenches needed for servicing your wheel bearings help, too. A mechanic stand with a clamp makes a world of difference.



  28. Global Cycling Network on June 28, 2019 at 9:17 pm

    We might just be looking into that 😉



  29. Cabot Steward on June 28, 2019 at 9:18 pm

    chain wip?



  30. Sofi Shahid on June 28, 2019 at 9:19 pm

    hello #GCN which Tool Kit iz Best In the world



  31. FiveStarPiano on June 28, 2019 at 9:21 pm

    No way am I going to sit through 2:46 of commercial.



  32. Global Cycling Network on June 28, 2019 at 9:22 pm

    Most manufacturers state it on the part – if you’re looking at a stem, or seatpost clamp, the manufacturers tend to put the recommended torque on it.



  33. tommyjz2 on June 28, 2019 at 9:27 pm

    get yourself a chain gauge, they are cheap and will tell you when your chain has stretched and needs replacement



  34. B on June 28, 2019 at 9:28 pm

    Sized to suit my nipples!



  35. Virtuous I on June 28, 2019 at 9:31 pm

    No worries I am an expert at truing wheels



  36. rj zeph on June 28, 2019 at 9:32 pm

    it depends on how much you ride, where you ride, and how often you clean your chain, 2 to 4 thousand miles is the suggested amount of miles



  37. SkillzPayDaBillz on June 28, 2019 at 9:33 pm

    What torque range would you recommend on a torque wrench for the basic home mechanic?



  38. Scott Johnson on June 28, 2019 at 9:35 pm

    Have you ever had a problem with your nipples being too large for your toolbox?



  39. Comment_User on June 28, 2019 at 9:36 pm

    I have 29er hardtail and if i press brakes with 2 fingers when im moving it makes this weird metal sound. i still haven’t figured out what is it



  40. Jas F on June 28, 2019 at 9:40 pm

    There are variables in terms of replacing chains; you current chain and its quality, how many km you ride yearly, how well you maintain your chain. I change mine after 5,000 km.



  41. David Henry and the Mysterons on June 28, 2019 at 9:41 pm

    old school bikes look much better than their modern equivalent. Put a young man on a old school bike ‘and he looks the part.’ But when a old guy gets on the new generation bike it looks all wrong… I no because  I am old GUY on a  modern bike  ‘. Saving up for a proper’ one



  42. Global Cycling Network on June 28, 2019 at 9:43 pm

    You’re looking at from 4nm for a seatpost to 40nm for cranks. So it’s pretty broad!



  43. SkillzPayDaBillz on June 28, 2019 at 9:44 pm

    Lol, better start saving then, looks like I’ll need at least 2 different ones 🙂



  44. Audio Fella on June 28, 2019 at 9:44 pm

    Add BB tool, crank puller, chain whip, bent spoke for installing chain, another sharpened spoke for poking housing, truing stand. If you only have high end bikes you won’t need the crank puller. If you dont have any high end bikes you wont need the torque wrench.



  45. Daniel Miller on June 28, 2019 at 9:45 pm

    I might add that needle nose pliers, regular pliers, plumber pliers, and multi purpose screw driver (Philips/flat head) screw driver. What I have been looking for is the torque wrench. My road bike is a carbon fiber, and I really do not want to damage it. Suggestions please?



  46. Nichiless Dey on June 28, 2019 at 9:45 pm

    Ditto…spoke key use.



  47. David Heinzen on June 28, 2019 at 9:47 pm

    this idiots English is all jacked up, can’t understand a word, get it together dude



  48. Tobin Chapman on June 28, 2019 at 9:48 pm

    Any chance we could get a tutorial on the basics of truing wheels and the spoke key? Very little on the internet.



  49. Mark Williams on June 28, 2019 at 9:48 pm

    sorry I meant 0.75% or 1%



  50. Nichiless Dey on June 28, 2019 at 9:50 pm

    Very useful indeed. Many thanks. Now, where did the family hide the Christmas wish list?